🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jeff Kanew
- Genre: Comedy, Family
- Release year: 1989
- Runtime (length): 1h 45min
- IMDb rating: 5.9/10 (12K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 29%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A rich lady tries to win back her husband by leading a girl scout troop, proving that even a black belt in shopping can earn a badge in ‘not being totally clueless’.
🍿 Troop Beverly Hills: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Divorce and a New Beginning
Phyllis Nefler, a Beverly Hills housewife, is facing a divorce from her successful muffler magnate husband, Freddy. Determined to prove herself, she takes over her daughter Hannah’s Wilderness Girls troop. This decision is met with skepticism from Freddy, who doubts her commitment.

Beverly Hills Wilderness Girls
Phyllis’s troop consists of spoiled and privileged girls from Beverly Hills. She introduces them to unconventional activities, earning patches in areas like fashion, jewelry appraisal, and dance. This clashes with the traditional wilderness skills taught by the district leader, Velda Plendor, who sees Phyllis’s approach as an insult to the organization.

Cookie Sales and Jamboree Prep
To qualify for the upcoming Jamboree, the troop needs to sell a large quantity of cookies. Phyllis and the girls use their Beverly Hills ingenuity to exceed their sales target. However, Velda continues to sabotage them, even attempting to steal their cookie sales territory. The girls learn teamwork and resourcefulness along the way.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Phyllis Nefler (Shelley Long): A Beverly Hills socialite who becomes a Wilderness Girls troop leader to prove her worth during a divorce.
- Freddy Nefler (Craig T. Nelson): Phyllis’s estranged husband, a successful muffler businessman undergoing a midlife crisis.
- Hannah Nefler (Jenny Lewis): The daughter of Phyllis and Freddy, who supports her mother’s efforts with the Wilderness Girls.
- Velda Plendor (Betty Thomas): The strict and competitive Wilderness Girls district leader who opposes Phyllis’s unconventional methods.
- Annie Herman (Mary Gross): Velda’s initially submissive assistant who eventually defects to support Phyllis and Troop Beverly Hills.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Phyllis: “I may be a beginner at some things, but I’ve got a black belt in shopping!” – Phyllis proudly declares her expertise when challenged about her qualifications as a troop leader.
- Phyllis: “Frances, sometimes you have to go where the glitter is.” – Phyllis justifies her unconventional methods to the head of the Wilderness Girls organization.
- Velda: “I want you to infiltrate Troop Beverly Hills.” – Velda tasks Annie with gathering incriminating evidence.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $18,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $8,508,843
- Worldwide Gross: $8,508,843
💥 Troop Beverly Hills Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching this movie as a kid and thinking Phyllis was the coolest! It’s still fun to see her transform and embrace the ‘wilderness’ (Beverly Hills style, of course). The over-the-top fashion and the catchy ‘Cookie Time’ song make it a nostalgic and entertaining watch. I especially loved the part when they earned their sushi appreciation badge.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of 80s comedies”
- “Viewers looking for a lighthearted family film”
- “Girl Scout enthusiasts”
- “Fans of Shelley Long and Craig T. Nelson”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild language”
- “Some stereotypical depictions of wealth”
- “Divorce themes”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “While the film’s humor is often broad and predictable, Long’s performance as the fish-out-of-water Phyllis Nefler brings a certain charm to this family-friendly comedy. It’s a lighthearted, if not particularly deep, look at class and self-discovery.
- Los Angeles Times: “Troop Beverly Hills relies on tired stereotypes and predictable plot points. However, the young cast is surprisingly engaging, and the film offers a glimpse into the excesses of Beverly Hills life that some viewers might find amusing, despite its flaws.
Audience Reactions
The ‘Cookie Time’ song is an earworm you’ll love to hate!: Viewers praised the movie for its lighthearted humor, Shelley Long’s performance, and the nostalgic feel of 80s family comedies.
Campy, fun, and surprisingly heartwarming despite the excessive materialism.: A lot of the charm comes from the movie’s ability to not take itself seriously and is just a fun experience.
Overall Consensus: Troop Beverly Hills is a campy and lighthearted 80s comedy that provides a fun, nostalgic experience despite its predictable plot and reliance on stereotypes.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Carla Gugino, in order to secure her role, misrepresented her age as 14, even though she was 16 at the time.”
- “The opening credits features Edd Byrnes’ name on a comb, a reference to his character ‘Kooky’ in ’77 Sunset Strip,’ who was known for constantly combing his hair.”
- “Producer and co-writer Ava Ostern Fries led a Girl Scout troop in Beverly Hills and was the inspiration for this film.”
🖥️ How to Watch Troop Beverly Hills?
Currently, “Troop Beverly Hills” is available for streaming on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video (through subscription or rental/purchase), Apple TV, and potentially other streaming services. Check your local listings and streaming provider for the most up-to-date availability. It can also be purchased or rented digitally through platforms like Amazon, Google Play, and Vudu. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can be found on Amazon and at retailers like Walmart and Target.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Troop Beverly Hills, you might like these similar films:
- Private Benjamin (1980): Shares the theme of a pampered woman finding purpose and strength in an unexpected environment.
- Mean Girls (2004): Explores the dynamics of female friendships and social hierarchies in a humorous way, focusing on the challenges of navigating those relationships.
- The Parent Trap (1998): Features a female-centric story with themes of friendship, self-discovery, and empowerment.
🛒 Troop Beverly Hills Related Products
- Troop Beverly Hills [Blu-ray]: A collectible Blu-ray edition featuring a remastered version of the movie and bonus behind-the-scenes content for the ultimate Troop Beverly Hills fan.
- Wilderness Girls Troop Beverly Hills-Inspired T-Shirt: A retro-style T-shirt featuring the Troop Beverly Hills logo, perfect for showing off your love for the movie and 80s fashion.
- Beverly Hills Cookie Time! Baking Set: Baking set with the Wilderness Girls insignia so you can live like it’s cookie time all the time.
- I may be a beginner at some things, but I’ve got a black belt in shopping! Tote Bag: A bag inspired by Troop Beverly Hills. Perfect for showing off your love for the movie and 80s fashion, while shopping.
🎧 Soundtrack
Troop Beverly Hills features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Troop Beverly Hills was filmed in various locations in California, including Beverly Hills itself and Big Bear City in San Bernardino National Forest.
While not a direct adaptation, Troop Beverly Hills was inspired by producer and co-writer Ava Ostern Fries’s own experience leading a Girl Scout troop in Beverly Hills.
The film stars Shelley Long as Phyllis Nefler, Craig T. Nelson as Freddy Nefler, Betty Thomas as Velda Plendor, and Jenny Lewis as Hannah Nefler. The troop includes actresses like Carla Gugino, Kellie Martin, and Emily Schulman.
🔥 Bonus Content
Troop Beverly Hills: Watch ET Reunite the Ladies 30 Years Later! (Exclusive)
Ever wonder what the Troop Beverly Hills ladies are up to now? This reunion interview is super fun and nostalgic; you gotta see what they remember most!
Troop Beverly Hills Turns 35: Shelley Long on Why Girl Scouts SAID NO to Collaboration (Flashback)
Did you know that the Girl Scouts weren’t initially on board with Troop Beverly Hills? Shelley Long spills the tea on why, and it’s honestly pretty interesting!
Troop Beverly Hills – COOKIE TIME!
Who *doesn’t* remember the “Cookie Time” scene from Troop Beverly Hills? It’s pure gold and guaranteed to make you smile!
Troop Beverly Hills, Animated Intro (1989) 1080p HD
Remember that awesome animated intro? Check it out in HD! It’s such a fun throwback to the 80s and really sets the tone for the whole movie.
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